Investigative Journalist Hammad Harassed Over Report on Illegal Sachet Water Factories

Investigative journalist Hammad has faced arrest, intimidation, and harassment following his report exposing 22 unregistered sachet water factories operating in Sokoto State without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). His report highlighted the health risks posed to unsuspecting consumers.

On June 15, 2024, police arrested Hammad and his fixer at the request of the owner of Al-Sherif Pure Water, one of the factories cited in the report. Hammad recounted that upon visiting the factory for a fact-finding assignment, the owner and his staff detained him and his fixer, forcing them to sit on the floor until the police arrived. Despite identifying himself as a journalist, Hammad was handcuffed and taken to the police station, where he was accused of being a criminal. The police referred him and his fixer to the Crime Investigations Department (CID) of the Sokoto State police command, demanded a N5,000 bail fee, and forced them to write an apology letter to the factory owner.

The traumatic experience took a toll on Hammad’s health, leading to high blood pressure. He eventually managed to submit his investigative report for publication on August 11, 2024.

A day after the report was published, Hammad received a call from an individual identifying himself as an official of the State Security Services (SSS) in Sokoto. The officer ordered him to report to their office or face arrest. Hammad ignored the summons but has since endured persistent intimidation through repeated phone calls from SSS officials.

The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the harassment of the journalist.